SOSOCAL / CHAT ROOM

Going To The Dive-In

For those who don't mind the scent of chlorine while munching on popcorn, a few local swimming holes now offer aqueous screenings. The new hotel Grafton on Sunset sets up a large television screen and speaker system to show '50s classics at its weekly "Swim 'N Cinema" affair. The hipster hostelry provides gigantic inner tubes, floating toy animals, popcorn and drinks. "It sounds goofy," says John Fitts, president and CEO of the Grafton's management company, "but we want the hotel to be casual and a little irreverent, especially with our location on Sunset and the craziness that goes on there." Near Palm Springs, the La Quinta Resort & Club also offers dive-in movie nights for its guests, showing family-oriented films under the summer stars at the club's largest outdoor pool. Over at the Cerritos Swim and Fitness Center, water lovers can jump into the Olympic-size pool and watch "Jaws" or "Toy Story 2" while munching on hot dogs. "Swimming pools are no longer just for swimming," says Lori Winn, the city's aquatics director. "They're more like amusement grounds."